In the world of credit unions, turning around a financial institution and earning a promotion in just over a year is like speedrunning a video game—except the stakes are real money and people’s livelihoods. Lisa Back just pulled it off at Greater Texas|Aggieland Credit Union.
The Austin-based credit union announced Back’s promotion from Chief Financial Officer to Executive Vice President, capping off what can only be described as a whirlwind 15 months since she joined in late 2023. And she didn’t just warm the seat—she basically rebuilt the engine while the car was still moving.
Subscribe to the monthly Credit Union Connection’s Careers Newsletter
More Than Just Balancing the Books
Back’s fingerprints are all over the credit union’s recent turnaround. She helped boost net interest margin (that’s the difference between what a bank earns on loans and pays on deposits, for those playing along at home), completely overhauled the card services strategy, and locked down one of the biggest incentive packages in the institution’s history. Oh, and she guided Greater Texas back to profitability last year. No big deal.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Back didn’t stop at the usual CFO territory. She dove into modernizing operations across accounting, collections, card services, and fraud departments—basically giving the entire back office a 21st-century upgrade.
Building a Culture of Accountability
One of Back’s smartest moves? Creating a “stakeholder scorecard” program that ties individual department performance directly to the credit union’s bottom line. Think of it as making sure everyone’s rowing in the same direction instead of just hoping the boat moves forward. She also launched a benchmarking program that lets Greater Texas stack up against top performers in the industry, spotting opportunities to boost revenue and trim unnecessary costs.
“When Lisa came on board, she immediately became a valuable strategic partner to our executive leadership team,” said Howard Baker, CEO of Greater Texas|Aggieland Credit Union. “She consistently exhibits a unique combination of financial expertise, business acumen, and a professional demeanor that has earned the trust and admiration of her peers. Her leadership has reshaped key parts of our business and strengthened our foundation for future growth.”
Four Decades of Financial Firepower
Back isn’t exactly new to the rodeo. She’s a Certified Public Accountant with nearly 40 years of experience under her belt. Her resume reads like a who’s who of financial institutions: 13 years at Bank of America as Senior Audit Director and Senior Vice President, leadership positions at CitiCapital as Senior Vice President and Controller, and a stint as Executive Vice President and CFO at Velocity Credit Union.
Her credentials are equally impressive. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington and graduated with honors from the Bank Administration Institute’s executive banking school at the University of Wisconsin.
Giving Back Beyond the Balance Sheet
When she’s not transforming credit unions, Back dedicates time to her community. She serves on the finance committee for Austin Habitat for Humanity and volunteers with organizations including Ronald McDonald House and Any Baby Can—proving that financial acumen and genuine community commitment aren’t mutually exclusive.
For Greater Texas|Aggieland Credit Union, Back’s promotion signals more than just recognition for a job well done. It’s a bet on continued transformation and growth, led by someone who’s already proven she can deliver results when it matters most.